Question re TV Licence

[LindseysDoily]

Asking for a friend - yes, really, I have a licence!

She told licensing authorities that she didn’t need a licence which, to be fair, she didn’t but then couldn’t resist watching Dr Who on i player at Xmas.
Now she has had an e mail saying they know she has been watching and she needs a licence.
She realises it’s probably a good idea to buy one but is worried that if she does they will just fine her anyway. Does anyone know if they can do this?

Highly unlikely.

Ordinarily, even if you are caught red-handed watching without a licence, the first thing they will do is offer you the opportunity to purchase one immediately. Capita would far rather make money by selling licences that have the expense and time sink of reporting people to be prosecuted.

I can only assume she has been sent an automated response because she logged into iPlayer with the same credentials she used to inform that she did not require a licence. Overlooking the fact that was a bit silly, it will just be an automated response, although it might also flag her as a priority for a visit given that they will also have her physical address due to her previous communication. If she purchases a licence now, they will have no reason to quibble with her if they arrive on her doorstep.

I don't see how she could possibly be fined right now in any case, as all they have is the suggestion that someone logged into iPlayer using the same email that she used to inform them she did not require a licence. There is not enough evidence there to ensure a prosecution, as she could simply argue in court that her email was brute-forced by a 3rd party. Generally speaking, you don't get fined unless you are physically witnessed watching TV by an enforcement officer, or you openly admit to it. Capita actually need a reasonable degree of proof before a magistrate or sheriff will levy a fine, and right now they don't have that.

Thank you, that is very helpful. She is reassured.